Western Star 4900 FA plow truck

[BK9300]

3 hours ago, gotnitro? said:

Outstanding work 

Yeah don't sweat the paint scratches, the mechanic will touch them up !

Thanks, Jeff - he’ll get on it soon as possible!

[BK9300]

Managed to get the lines to the hydraulic pump and to the transmission cooler hooked up this afternoon - anxiety meter pinging off the top end, with a few do-overs on attaching the lines.  I'll chalk it all up to experience and learning for the next build!

 

Couldn't use the rotisserie anymore with the front bumper lift group in place, so cobbled this setup together to get at the hydraulic pump fittings and cooler hoses

 

 

Hoses hooked up to hydraulic pump and to transmission cooler fittings (still need to try and make a short crankshaft pulley driveshaft to power the hydraulic pump)

 

Hoses for the front plow lift cylinder have been routed through the opening in the bumper/lift group

 

Better view of transmission cooler lines hooked up and the plow lift cylinder hoses yet to be connected.

 

With the postal strike over here in Canada, finally received my decals from STS.  Not sure how all that will go as I don't intend to clear the sander - it has too much paint on it already and don't want to blur any more detail if I can avoid it.  Maybe the sander decals having an 'edge' to them will make them look like the vinyl decals on the real truck!  More to come in a couple days - thanks for checking in!

Edited December 20, 2024 by BK9300

[Biggu]

Talk about patience and dedication , you have it in Spades. When you display this, may I suggest you set it on a beveled mirror, that will show the incredible fine scratch made details under the truck and sander that you have so thoughtfully and accurately portrayed…  It would be painfully sad not to show it off. That is just a random thought …..  too much to hide …..

[BK9300]

Thanks, Jeff, and again, very kind words - always appreciate your comments.  I do have a few ideas for display and I think a mirror would be involved.  But, like many others, need to find the proper space for it!  Maybe next to this old timer, a folk art piece we found a few years back...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Biggu]

That is really cool. An old ‘V’ plow with double wings ! My dad operated one of those back in the early ‘50’s…. The truck was a single axle FWD with the same plows. It actually took two guys to operate that …… in our case, my dad would drive and operate the V plow while his swamper ( Jim Reagan ) would operate the two wings. No live hydraulics back in those days. All mechanical. And I think he said the truck was chain drive too, Very hard work. That would make a sweet display the old and the new. 

[Gary Chastain]

That would tell a great story, having the old snow plow sitting next to the new snow plow. It will look ssssoooooo good. 

[Biggu]

Looking closely at the old model, who ever built it had some knowledge of trucks and snow plows, there are some real good details on it, and very well done , it's even chained up ! I agree with Gary, it would look really good, also here is another random thought... Brian with your scratch building skills, you could get the 1/25 scale Mack coal truck and scratch a V plow and wing set up in high detail to go along with these two...  THAT would look really cool.....

[BK9300]

17 minutes ago, Biggu said:

Looking closely at the old model, who ever built it had some knowledge of trucks and snow plows, there are some real good details on it, and very well done , it's even chained up ! I agree with Gary, it would look really good, also here is another random thought... Brian with your scratch building skills, you could get the 1/25 scale Mack coal truck and scratch a V plow and wing set up in high detail to go along with these two...  THAT would look really cool.....

Too funny - I actually think I have an old Mack truck kit in one of my boxes in storage - who knows!

[Biggu]

1 minute ago, BK9300 said:

Too funny - I actually think I have an old Mack truck kit in one of my boxes in storage - who knows!

LOL.... great minds... I hope I have the gears meshing on this idea....

[BK9300]

A bit of a lazy day happening here, but did do a little work.  Had to repaint the front rims because they had chipped around the rim edge from too much careless handling.  So, while a couple coats were drying, I made progress on something I need, that being shocks for the front.  Then I worked on something I don't need but could add - support chains for the underbody plow.  I made up a set, but not settled with outcome because of the size of the chains' hooks - they're a little better that half again as big as they're supposed to be.  Maybe I'll get used to them in a few days.

 

Basis styrene tubing for shocks

 

 

Front shocks made, along with lower mounting bracket that should be part of the front axle, u-bolt mounting assembly;  still need to make top mount that it, and the shock, will bolt to the front plow brace plate

 

Am not sure about using these - the plates bolt to either side of frame above the underbody plow.  The hooks are visibly too big but maybe, once they are painted black, they will blend into the frame less noticeably. . . 

 

They might only be a bit of extra detail overall,

 

Just undecided at the moment - thoughts?

Will give the front rims another couple days, and in the meantime will finish front shocks and mounts and get them painted and on the truck.  I'll also add the extra bolt heads to the brace plate and re-do the pass through brake lines.  Definitely will be a 'roller' next week! (and I'll decide about the underbody plow chain supports!)  - Take care! 

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by BK9300

[BK9300]

Took some time off from the bench during the holidays, and was a bit under the weather, but starting back in again.  A fair amount of time spent working on front shocks, but now I'm ready to paint them, get them attached to frame and add a couple bolt heads to finish them off.

 

Brass pins will be trimmed flush - lower portion of shock can slide into upper so I can better position lower shock mount on spring once the upper mount is glued in first.

 

Will use some Top Studio bolts and PE bolt heads to tidy everything up, once the shocks are painted.  Steering links thankfully clear everything still!

 

 

 

Should be able to re-do the front brake pod, pass through air lines and fittings today as well.  Wonderful to see all the great 2024 builds in Lee's thread!

[BK9300]

Shocks are out in the shed, primed and drying.  While waiting, started another issue that's been holdup part of the build, and that was the front plow push frame.  I needed to make a connection between the lifting chains and the lift eyes on the push frame.  Bad habit of mine - when I'm not sure, I take far too long to come to a solution.  My pictures of the real truck weren't adequate and Jeff gave me one of his showing a better connection using clevises.  I had some white metal clevises in the parts bin but needed to manipulate them a bit to get them to work.

 

Problem I wasn't addressing is that I made the lifting eyes a long time ago and didn't think much about a chain connection - I didn't want to cut open the eye put in the clevis and then repair and paint the lifting eye (pic is a little big - I had taken the close up for a different purpose. . .)

 

Clevises from Kit Form Services were also closed

 

So, I drilled out the end of the clevis and part way into the 'bolt' portion,

 

and pinned it, unglued, with 0.5mm brass rod, so I could cut/shear the clevis bolt without collapsing the bolt

 

Was able to roll the blade back and forth, from both sides and make a clean cut through the soft white metal

 

 

Then just spread the clevises gently, re-pinned them and applied a bit of thin CA glue to the cut portion of the bolt and all turned out well.  Chain in background is a military 'tow' chain from AK Interactive - the links were about the right size - that I will make look a bit more new 

 

 

Happy with the result and now maybe I can get out of my own way and finish the front plow assembly, and be ready to attach it to lift group.  Thanks for having a look, take care!

[Biggu]

Those clevis’ turned out just perfect. Great engineering. I would have just bumbled along and cut the pin with little thought of a refit. Great idea of drilling out and pinning to cut. Brilliant !

[BK9300]

6 hours ago, Biggu said:

Those clevis’ turned out just perfect. Great engineering. I would have just bumbled along and cut the pin with little thought of a refit. Great idea of drilling out and pinning to cut. Brilliant !

Thanks Jeff, and I appreciate the back and forth about most appropriate solution for this and thanks for the better pic!

[Biggu]

7 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Thanks Jeff, and I appreciate the back and forth about most appropriate solution for this and thanks for the better pic!

Any time my friend, I am so happy to be able to help out..

[Scott Eriksen]

22 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Shocks are out in the shed, primed and drying.  While waiting, started another issue that's been holdup part of the build, and that was the front plow push frame.  I needed to make a connection between the lifting chains and the lift eyes on the push frame.  Bad habit of mine - when I'm not sure, I take far too long to come to a solution.  My pictures of the real truck weren't adequate and Jeff gave me one of his showing a better connection using clevises.  I had some white metal clevises in the parts bin but needed to manipulate them a bit to get them to work.

 

Problem I wasn't addressing is that I made the lifting eyes a long time ago and didn't think much about a chain connection - I didn't want to cut open the eye put in the clevis and then repair and paint the lifting eye (pic is a little big - I had taken the close up for a different purpose. . .)

 

Clevises from Kit Form Services were also closed

 

So, I drilled out the end of the clevis and part way into the 'bolt' portion,

 

and pinned it, unglued, with 0.5mm brass rod, so I could cut/shear the clevis bolt without collapsing the bolt

 

Was able to roll the blade back and forth, from both sides and make a clean cut through the soft white metal

 

 

Then just spread the clevises gently, re-pinned them and applied a bit of thin CA glue to the cut portion of the bolt and all turned out well.  Chain in background is a military 'tow' chain from AK Interactive - the links were about the right size - that I will make look a bit more new 

 

 

Happy with the result and now maybe I can get out of my own way and finish the front plow assembly, and be ready to attach it to lift group.  Thanks for having a look, take care!

Looks great Brian,,,,I'll use that clevis mod on the wrecker build

[Pete68]

Incredible updates Brian I was looking at your front hubs again and they look amazing as well as all the components your adding daily. Thanks for sharing. 

[BK9300]

27 minutes ago, Pete68 said:

Incredible updates Brian I was looking at your front hubs again and they look amazing as well as all the components your adding daily. Thanks for sharing. 

Thanks very much, Lee, and glad you stopped by - always lots going on!  To be fair, about the hubs and wheels, I got them from Jim Russell at M & R Wheels - good selection of machined wheels, hubs, brake drums and might even do a custom set if you're willing to wait in line!  I'd include a link to the web page, but I get an error when I try - easy enough to Google them, though.

[BK9300]

Some more time in at the bench today, carrying on with the front shocks and pass through, brake pot air lines.

 

Front shock(s) and mounts glued in place, with PE bolt heads/ends used to add detail

 

Hose attached to brake pot and to fitting; pass through hole drilled in bracket and frame

 

Pass through fitting(s) glued in place; PE bolt heads added to front plow support bracket

 

 

Better view of poseable steering linkages

 

Bit hard to tell through all the black paint, but steering arm linkage just passes by lower shock mount, thankfully

 

Thought I would have a roller this past week, but didn't happen - it will for sure early next week!  As always, your comments are appreciated!

[Pete68]

All those pic are so convincing Brian job well done very clean and tidy craftsman ship. 

[Pete68]

4 hours ago, BK9300 said:

if you're willing to wait in line! 

Thanks Brian I really appreciate but this high detail work is just not me and never was no offense. I’m just a old box stock curb side builder. Now my brother Bill on the other hand might be interested I’ll tell him about it. He’s the high end builder between us. I just enjoy watching you guys do your magic 

Edited December 30, 2024 by Pete68

[BK9300]

3 hours ago, Pete68 said:

All those pic are so convincing Brian job well done very clean and tidy craftsman ship. 

 I appreciate the generous comments, Lee!   Out of box or detailed build, I’ve listened to you and others talk with easy familiarity, and with authority, about trucks and your experiences with them in your lives.  You, and all the others care a great deal about them and your builds show that.  I’ve never operated a truck, but do have a different knowledge about them and sure have admired them most of my life.  Contributing what I can to a great topic (trucks!) and hobby along the way!

Edited December 30, 2024 by BK9300

[Pete68]

4 hours ago, BK9300 said:

 I’ve never operated a truck

Thanks Brian I appreciate it. You could have fooled me for sure. Being a 4 generation trucker I was born with it I’ve liked trucks all my life and I’ve been around them as well. I’m glad my Dad was a very versatile trucker who drove all kinds of trucks and was very knowledgeable of trucks and the jobs he done in trucking industry from Logging, Dump trucking and Tractor Trailer of all sorts. In the small town where I live back in the early 1970s it was a Trucking community trucks were everywhere including lots of tractors trailers that were owned by Owner Operators like dad and I got to be around all that as well. Your knowledge of these trucks is amazing and it shows as well in your very clean building. 
 

I talked to Bill last night he knows Jim very well and has known him for many years said he’s a nice guy. Bill told me he just bought some of Jim’s KW Millennium wheels and some 5 hole steelies along with some other stuff. I’ll be watching for more updates. 

[BK9300]

Still one more thing to do before the truck gets up on its tires and that is to hook up the front plow lift cylinder.  Managed to get the fittings and lines attached, and had to make a change there, too.  Didn't mount the cylinder in place yet, but did get a couple pics of it in place for time being.

 

Had made the lift cylinder some time ago, but needed to add fittings for hydraulic hoses - fittings are from R & B Motion

 

Hoses attached -

 

A couple mock up pics of lift cylinder in place, temporarily (need to change the oversize band holding hoses together)

 

 

Should be more tomorrow - take care!

Edited December 31, 2024 by BK9300

[gotnitro?]

Incredible details, love following your build